Judicial Sale of Former Truck Stop Brings Interest; Minimum Bid of $1,200

Ron Wilshire

Ron Wilshire

Published February 12, 2020 5:45 am
Image

CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – A pending judicial sale in Clarion County includes a 63.9-acre property, the former 76 Truck Stop in Clarion Township on Route 322 near exit 70 of Interstate 80.

Senior Judge James Arner has not yet set a date for the sale of six properties, but there has been plenty of interest in the property, and a judicial sale offers one big attraction.

“It’s been so long with bankruptcies and taxes have not been paid,” said Clarion County Tax Claim Director Megan Kerr. “All the liens, all the judgments, mortgage, and anything that was against the property is gone. The minimum bid will be just under $1,200.”

A Judicial Sale is a sale permitted under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Act, 72 P.S. §5860.101, et seq., which provides for an auction of real property due to delinquent property taxes that were not sold at an earlier Upset Tax Sale.

The idea of a 63.9-acre site available along 80 would seem to be very attractive, but questions about its environmental conditions are common for the long-abandoned truck stop. Governor Tom Wolf announced a grant last week that may provide answers to the questions.

Image from iOS (10)

The Clarion County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) was approved for a $37,344.00 Industrial Sites Reuse Program (ISRP) grant for a two-phase environmental study on the property. The brownfield site located on Route 322 in Clarion Township is approximately 63 acres, 10 of which is developed and has been utilized as a truck stop with fueling and repair services and operations dating back to the 1970s. The Clarion County EDC is applying on behalf of private developer Miles Brothers LLC to purchase the site and clean up the property for use.

EDC was contacted for comment on Tuesday, but the call was not immediately returned.

“We did work with the EDC to secure the grant, but at this time, I’d not like to go any further or comment,” said Theron Miles, of Miles Brothers.

Miles Brothers have experience in reclaiming brownfields and its Glassworks project in Clarion Borough on the site of the former O-I Glass Plant.

Asked if the truck stop property would be manageable along with the continued work on Glassworks, Miles offered a confident “no” in his reply.

“ISRP funding will support the necessary evaluation of the unused, remaining portion of this property,” said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin.

“From there, Clarion County EDC can best determine how to appropriately utilize this space to bring opportunity to the surrounding community.”

“Conducting an environmental study is a critical component of revitalizing this former industrial site, as it will ensure that the site is safe for development and re-use,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “I’m pleased to see that this funding will redevelop a brownfield site, which will benefit the community, the economy, and the environment.”

A two-phase environmental study could also produce more interest in the property.

A list of the properties at the judicial sale includes the following:

  • Clarion Township — Keystone Capital Group Inc., 2151 Route 322, Old 76 Truck Stop, 63.9 acres, and a starting bid of $1170
  • Clarion Township — Kimberly A. Leith, 325 Greenville Pike, 1.5 story house, $871
  • East Brady Borough — Peg Bowser, 300 E. 3rd, one-story house, $856
  • Farmington Township — Michael P. Morgan, Slocum Mobile Home Court, trailer on leased land, Lot 143, $871
  • Madison Township — Tina M. Nugent, 3122 Traister Rd., one-story house, $859
  • Paint Township — Alan Skinner, Forest Park, trailer, lot 95, $811

(PHOTOS ABOVE by Jill McDermott.)

Facebook Remembers

488021_434849953227017_2025027110_n1077369_594401200605224_139353828_o

Recent Articles

Community Partner